Apparatus for applying covering of sheet material



. 1. P. A.\`Mcc 0Y. APPARATUS FOR APPLYING COVERING'OF 'SHEET MATERIAL.APPLICATION F|LEn'1l`s|.Y9.-1V9|. 1,385,967. PatendJuly 26,1921.l

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

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56 1 34 JZ 4l I. P. A. IVIcCOY.

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING COVERING OF SHEET MATERIAL.

APPLICATION FILED .IULY91 19H.

Patented July 26, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES P. A. MCCOY', OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO ALLIS-CHALMERSMANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSINLA CORPORATION OF DELAWAREAPPARATUS FOR APPLYING COVER/ING OF SHEET MATERIAL.

Application led July 9,

To all whom 'it may concern Be it known that I, J AMES P. A. MoCoY, asubject of the Kino' of Great Britain and Ireland, residing atMilwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, haveinvented a certain new and useful Improvement in Apparatus for ApplyingCovering of Sheet Material, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates in general to apparatus for applying wrappings orcoverings to objects, and has particular relation to apparatus of thisgeneral character especially adapted for applying or compactinginsulating sheet material on core-like bodies, such as the side portionsof coils for dynamoelectric machines, to forni tube-like insulatingelements thereon.

A very desirable form of insulation which may be used as a lcovering orwrapping for conductors, or as a hollow insulating tube or conduit, ismade up of one or more sheets of insulating material wrapped about acore and pressed and compacted so as to exclude air from between theseveral turns of the wrapping. Usually, the sheet material of which thiswrapping or insulation is formed, is of paper or fiber of goodinsulating qualities provided with a varnish or other gum coating on oneside, this coating preferably being hard at ordinary temperatures tofacilitate handling and applying the sheet material. In applying thisinsulating sheet material to a body to be insulated, or in forming an'insulating tube upon a temporary core, the material is wound upon thecore, whether it be of a temporary or permanent character, and, eitherduring the winding or subsequently thereto, heat is applied to thematerial to soften the gum .coating which is preferably on the innerside of the material, and pressure is applied while the coating is softto compact the several layers of the wound sheet material to therebyexclude air therefrom and generally to form a rm and solid coveringabout the core with adjacent layers or turns of the covering adhering toeach other.

The present invention is directly concerned with the production of animproved apparatus of this general character suitable for forming aninsulating covering Inade up of several layers of sheetma-terial, aboutpor.'

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 26, 1921.

1917. Serial No. 180,015;k

tions of coils for dynamo-electric machines or other core-like bodies,and wherein the element for applying pressure, or heat and pressure, tothe material wound upon the core is flexible and of novel character.

It is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus of improveddesign and construction for applying pressure to a covering or wrappingof sheet material wound upon a core, for the purpose of compacting thiscovering.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improvedapparatus for applying heat and pressure to a covering or wrapping ofsheet material wound upon a core, for the purpose of softening a gum orother coating on the material and compacting the layers of the coveringinto a substantially solid mass.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improvedapparatus of this general character which reduces manual operations to aminimum and is substantially automatic in its operation of heating andcompacting the covering of sheet material.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improvedapparatus of this general character wherein the element for trans.-ferring heat to, or heating, or for pressing, or for both heating andpressing, the wrapping of sheet material comprises a flexible pad ofmetal fabric, and wherein means are provided for producing relativerotation between the flexible pressing pad and thesheet material to beoperated upon.

These and other objects are attained by this invention, the variousnovel features of which will be apparent from the description anddrawings, disclosing one embodiment of such invention, and will beparticularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a sectional elevation of an apparatus embodying features ofthis invention, the section being taken along the line I-I of Fig. 2. p

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view of the ap- F ig. l, with a coil side infull plan view.

Fig. 3 isa sectional elevation of a modification of the apparatusdisclosed in Fig'.t 1, the section being taken 'along th@ liie 1112111of Fig. 4.'

lma

paratus of Fig. 1, alongthe line II--II of v Fig. 4 is a sectional planview of the aparatus of Fig. 3, along the line IV-IV of `ig. 3, with acoil side in full plan view.

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation of a further modification, the sectionbeing taken along the line V-L-V of Fig. 6.

Fig. 6 is a sectional plan view of the apparatus of Fig. 5, along theline VI-.VI of Fig. 5, with a coil side in full plan view.

Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation of a further modification, the sectionbeing taken along the line VII- VII of Fig. 8.

Fig. 8 is a sectional plan view of the apparatus of Fig. 7, along theline VIII-VIII of Fig. 7, with a coil side in plan view.

i Fig. 9 is an elevation, partly in section, of a modified apparatusembodying features of applicants invention.

In accordance with the disclosure of Figs. 1 and 2, a frame 10, ofgenerally cylindrical shape, is made up of lower and upper sections 12and 13, respectively. The lower section 12 is provided with supportingfeet 14, and one or more apertured projections 15 at one side. The uppersection 13 is provided with one or more apertured projections 16, theapertures of which are axially alined with the apertures in theproljections 15, these apertures receiving a hinge pin 17 whereby theupper section may be swung back out of the position indicated in Fig.` 1to permit the insertion and removal of a coil side or other core,indicated at 21, to be operated upon.

In the form shown, the element 21 held in operative position relative tothe frame 10 may be considered as the side of a coil for adynamo-electric machine. This core element 21 may he held in operativeposition by clamps 22, with its longitudinal axis in approximatecoincidence with the axis of the frame 10. The core element 2l is shownas being provided with a previously applied covering or wrapping 23,formed by winding vseveral layers of insulating sheet material upon eachother. or covering 23 of sheet material hasl a varnish or gum coatingapplied to one side thereof, preferably the side that lies radiallyinward when the covering is applied to the core. This coating iscomparatively hard at ordina temperatures to thereby facilitate handhngof the sheet material.

An element for applying heat and pressure to the wrapping 23 isindicated at 24. This element is in the form of a flexible pad or sheetof' fabric woven from metal wire or links, a very desirable form beingone similar to the ordinary chain mail or chain mesh. However, thedesirable' features of this pressing pad are flexibility, ability toretain heat, indestructibility and more or less mass to facilitate theapplication of pressure to the Wrapping or covering to be operated upon.As indicated, the

This wrapping longitudinal edges of this flexible pressing pad arebrought together, or comparatively close to each other, and secured bymeans of one or more spring clips 25 which connect rods 26 and 27secured to the opposing edges of the pad. This form of spring connectionis such as to provide a substantially closed tube of great flexibilityand more or less elasticity and one which tends to lie in close contactwith the covering or wrapping 23 and to exert more or less pressurethereon.

This pressing fabric or pad which, in assembled condition of theapparatus, is in a generally tubular form, at least, at that portionwhich surrounds and is in contact with the covering of sheet material 23to be operated upon, has flaring end portions 31 which serve forattachment to rotatable carriers to secure rotation of the generallytubular portion of the pressing pad in engagement with the covering 23.These flared end portions are secured to and supported by end plates 32having inwardly inclined conical flanges 34 against which, the ends ofthe flared portions 31 of the pressing pad are secured by clamps 35having correspondingly shaped conical flanges 36, these clamps beingsecured in position by bolt-s 37. These end plates 32 and clampingplates 35 are formed in two sections, preferablydivided along adiameter, as indicated, and may be provided with axially extending,apertured lugs 33, which may be bolted together to thereby secure thetwo sections of the parts in operative position.

The assembled end plates 32 are held in operative position and centeredby means of rollers 41 mounted upon pins 42, carried by the sections ofthe frame 10, and bearing upon peripheral portions 43 of the end plates.It will be apparent that any suitable means for driving the end platesin synchronism may be utilized. In the apparatus illustrated, the endplates are provided with gear teeth 45 meshing with the teeth of pinions46 mounted upon a driving shaft 47. However, it will be apparent thatthese end plates may be driven by belts or driving rollers, or thecentering rollers 41 may be utilized as driving rollers, with suitableprovision made for applying power to these rollers.

The radially inner side of the frame 10 is provided with one or moreheaters 51 for supplying the heat necessary to cause softening of the umcoating on one side of the sheet material of which the wrapping 23 isformed. The heat producing elements of these heaters may be electricalresistance coils or burners for consuming liquid or gaseous fuel. Infact, any suitable Inca-ns for applying heat at a point within the framemay be used. As generally indicated inthe drawings, the frame 10 inconnection with the end plates 32 form a housing and serve to confinethe heat supplied by the heat-ers 51. As indicated, the sections of theframe 10 are provided with radially inwardly extending flanges 54forming a comparatively. close it with the axial extensions 55 011 theend plates and the radial flanges 56 extending therefrom. Such anarrangement serves to form an inclosure which is open only at pointsadjacent the center, that is, adjacent the flaring portions 31 of theflexible pressing element.

lVhile the spring connection 25 between the longitudinal edges of theflexible pressing element 24 serves to draw this pressing elementtightly about the insulating or other wrapping with sufficient pressureto thoroughly press and iron the latter, nevertheless, it may bedesirable to provide additional pressing means. This additional meansmay be in the forni of a plurality of leaf springs 61 each attached atone end to a section of the frame 1() and having a comparatively fiat'bearing portion G2 in engagement with a portion of the flexiblepressing pad that is over one of the sides of the core 21. Of course,depending upon the cross-sectional shape of the core to be operatedupon, the shape and other characteristics of these assisting springsmight be varied.

The section 12 of the frame 10 may be provided with a swinging bolt 65which engages in a slotted lug 67 on the frame section 13. By means ofthis swinging bolt and a` nut 68 threaded thereon and against theextension G7, the two frame sections may be firmly clamped together andheld in operative position relative to the other parts.

The particular form of apparatus illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 is such asis adapted for heating and pressing a previously applied covering ofsheet material having a gum coating upon one side thereof. 1li/'ith thesections of the frame 10 and the end plates 32 separated and the upperportion of the flexible pressing element 24 turned back, the coil side21, or other core, may be inserted to operative position, and may besecured therein by means of the clamps 22. The movable sections of theend plates 32 and the frame 10 are then returned to operative positionand the flared ends 31 of the pressing element are attached to theremovable portions -of the end plates by the corresponding portions ofthe clamping plates 35, and the opposing longitudinal edges of thepressing element are connected together by means of the spring clips 25.

The end plates 32 may then be rotated through the pinions 4G and shaft47, and the flexible pressing pad 24 rotated about the core 21 and itswrapping or covering 23. Heat transferred to the flexible pressing padfrom the heaters 51 is effective to soften the gum coating on the innerside of the sheet material of the wrapping and the pressure due to thespring connection between the longitudinal edges of the pressing pad andalso to the springs 61, causes the pressing pad to force out airpocketed between turns of' the wrapping and to compact these layers orturns, and generally to force the turns into intimate contact. When thedesired amount of heat and pressure has been applied to the covering 23,the sections of the frame 10 and the end plates may be separated and thecoil side or other core removed. In the final condition of the wrappingthe gum coating cements the adjacent layers of the covering intointimate contact or union, the finished product comprising a covering orcoating that is practically solid.

The apparatus shown in Figs. 3 and 4 is quite similar, as to bothstructure and operation, to the apparatus of Figs. 1 and 2. rl`he mainstructural difference is that the end plates 32 of the apparatus ofFigs. 3 and 4 are connected together by a enerally cylindrical frameportion 71, divided along a horizontal diameter and attached to orintegral with the end plates. The frame 71 is provided withcomparatively large openings 72 to permit the comparatively unobstructedtransfer of heat from the heaters 51 to the pressing element 24. Theseopenings 72 are axially within the ends of the frame 10 to avoid anyloss of heat therethrough. The springs 73 which bear upon the outer sideof the flexible pressing element are attached to the rotatable frame 71associated with the end plates 32, rather than being attached to theframe 10, as in the apparatusof Figs. 1 and 2. In View of the fact thatthese springs rotate about the coil side or parent that while thebearing portions ofl the springs 73 remain in engagement withsubstantially the same portions of the fleXible pressing element 24throughout the operation of the apparatus, nevertheless, the desiredpressure is applied to the covering 23, since all peripheral portions ofthis covering successively assume positions wherein they are under theinfluence of these hearing portions of the springs.

Due to the fact that the end plates are connected together through theframe 71, it will be apparent that one of the pinions 46 and thecoperative geared portion of an end plate may be unnecessary and can bedispensed with, as indicated. The operation of the apparatus of Figs. 3and 4 will be readily apparent from the above description and exlanation.

he apparatus disclosed in F igs 5 and 6 is more or less similar to thatdisclosed in Figs. 3 and 4, inclusive, as to the general structuralfeatures of the supporting frame for the flexible pressing element 24.This latter supporting frame 71 is divided along a diameter and hasupper and lower Sections 78 and 79, respectively. The end of thepressing element with whichthe rod 27 is 4associated is connected to theframe section 78, preferably through the intermediary of one or moretension springs 81, and the end of the pressing element with which therod 26 is associated is connected to plungers 82 supported byandslidable in sockets 83, preferably integral with the end plates 32,and Within which compression springs 84 are disposed, these springsacting to urge the plungers and the end of the pressing elementconnected thereto in a general radially inward direction. When the partsare assembled in operative position, indicated in the drawings, thespring connections associated with the ends of the llexible pressingelement 24 serve to wrap the same tightly about the core 21 and thecovering 23 of sheet material thereon.

The previously wrapped core 2l is inserted to operative position whenthe removable sections of the inner and outer frames 71 and 10,respectively, are removed and the upper end of the pressing pad 24 isturned back. Withvthe sections of the frame in the position shown in thedrawings, and the ends of the pressing' element 24 connected as shown,it will be apparent that, on rotation of the frame 71, the pressingelement 24 is rotated about the core 21 and its Wrapping 23 and servesto press or compact the layers of the wrapping upon the core. Asdescribed above, hea-t may be supplied to the flexible pressing elementby heaters 51 to soften the varnish or gum coating upon the inner sideof the wrapping 23. The rotation of the flexible pressing element aboutthe wrapping serves to roll or wrap the individual layers of thewrapping upon one another to thereby squeeze out any occluded air and tofirmly compact the wrapping into a practically solid mass. The drivingmeans for the rotatable frame 71 is quite similar to that described inconnection with Figs. 3 and 4. A pinion 46 on a driving shaft 47 mesheswith a toothed portion of one of the `end plates 32. However, it will beobvious that any suitable means for driving the frame 71 may beutilized.

In the apparatus disclosed in Figs. 7 and 8, instead of having asupporting frame 10 in a plurality of sections, a single piecestationary frame 91 is used. The inner rotatable frame 92 which carriesthe rotatable ressing element 24 differs from the rotata le frame 71 ofFigs. 3 to 6, inclusive, in that, instead of being divided along adiameter, this frame 92 has a comparatively small removable portion 93.Attaching means, in the form of removable bolts copcrative with alinedapertured ears on the parts, are provided for removably securing theremovable portion 93 to the main portion of the frame. As in the case ofthe previously described forms of the apparatus, the inner rotatableframe is centered by rollers 41 associated with the outer frame 91 andis driven by a pinion 46 in mesh with a toothed portion of the rotatableframe. The end of the flexible pressing element 24 associated with therod 27 is at-Y tached to lugs or projections on the removable frameportion 93', either directly or through a spring connection 81; and, asdescribed in connection with the form of apparatus of Figs. 5 and 6, theother end of the pressing element is connected to a spring-pressedplunger 82.

While the coil side or other core 21 may be disposed in operativeposition in the apparatus subsequent to the provision of the core with awrapping or covering of sheet material 23, nevertheless, the particularform of apparatus disclosed in Figs. 7 and 8 embodies means for applyingthis wrapping to the core simultaneously lwith the operation of theflexible pressing element 24 to heat and compact the layers of theWrapping upon the core. This wrappingis supplied from a roll 96rotatably mounted upon lugs 97 on the body portion of the rotatableframe 92. Further, in the particular form of apparatus disclosed herein,heat is applied tothe flexible pressing element by means of anelectrical heating pad 100 attached to the outer side of the flexiblepressing element, a heat insulating 105 covering 101 being applied tothe outer side of the heating element. Electrical energy may be suppliedto this heating pad through brushes 102 engageable with slip rings 103on the rotatable frame 92 and liexible leads 110 104. The brushes may bemounted on an insulating support 105, and may pass through openings 106in the frame 91, as indicated. However, instead of having a separateheating pad, such as that indicated 115 at 100, resistance elements maybe woven in the pressing pad itself and insulated from the metallicmaterial thereof.

Wrapping may be applied to the core prior v i to its insertion tooperative position within the apparatus, in which case there is nonecessity for applying material from the roll 96.

In any of the forms of apparatus diiclosed above, the source of heat maybe mounted upon either the stationary supporting frame or the rotatableframe mounted within the stationary frame, inthe latter case, suitablemeans beingprovided for conducting to the rotatable element the energyto be utilized for heating purposes.

In the apparatus disclosed in Fig. 9, general features of this inventionare utilized in connection with a core element 21a mounted for rotationrelatively to a flexible pressing pad, heating apparatus therefor and aroll for supplyinor Wrapping or covering sheet material. ne end of theflexible pressing element 241 is attached to a stationary frame 107either directly or through the spring connection 81, and the other endof the pressing element is attached to thespring-pressed plunger 82,similar to that previously described, the general mounting andsupporting means being such as is effective to cause the flexiblepressing element to be wrapped about and held in close association withthe covering 23, either previously applied to the core 21EL or, asindicated, wrapped upon the core during the operation of the apparatus,as generally described in connection with the apparatus of Figs. 7 and8. The heating pad 100 is shown as being associated with only thatportion of the flexible pressing element with which the material wrappedabout the core first comes in contact. This arrangement permits theapplication of heat and pressure to the wrapping as it is first laidupon the core, and the subsequent application of pressure alone,that is,from the unheated portion of the pressing pad 24. It will be apparentthat in theJ operation of this apparatus, the sheet material is heatedto soften the gum coating thereon as the material is laid upon the core21a, and pressure is applied both during the heating of the gum coatingand immediately thereafter to compact the individual layers as the sameare disposed upon the core.

It will be obvious that certain features of the several particularembodiments of the invention disclosed may be interchanged in thedifferent forms, especially those feattures concerned with the variousmethods of applying heat to the pressing element and of supporting thepressing element to provide for relative rotation between the same andthe core to which the Wrapping of sheet material is applied.

It should be understood that it is not desired that the inventionclaimed be limited to the exact details of construction shown anddescribed for obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled inthe art.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

1. Apparatus for applying a covering to a body, comprising an open,flexible pressing element of belt-like form, and means for producingrelative rotation between said body and said pressing element whilemaintaining said pressing elelnent in forcible engagement with thecovering on said body.

2. Apparatus for applying a covering to a core, comprising an open,flexible pressing and heating element, and means for producing relativerotation between said core and said pressing element while maintainingsaid pressing element in yielding forcible engagement with the coveringon said core.

3. Apparatus for applying a covering to a core comprising an open-endedcombined heating and pressing element of flexible metal fabric, andmeans for producing relative rotation between said core and saidpressing element while maintaining said pressing element in forcibleengagement with the covering on said core.

4. In apparatus for applying a covering to a core, a pressing element offlexible metal fabric, and means for causing relative rotation betweensaid pressing element and the covering on said core while maintainingsaid pressing element in forcible engagement with said covering.

5. Apparatus for applying a covering to a body, comprising a flexiblepressing element of belt-like form, and means for producing relativerotation between said body and said pressing element while maintainingsaid pressing element in engagement with the covering on said body.

6. Apparatus for applying a covering to a body, comprising a frame, aheating and pressing element of flexible metal fabric carried by saidframe, means for supporting said body in operative position relative tosaid frame, and means for causing relative rotation between saidpressing element and said body with said pressing element held inyielding engagement with said body.

7. Apparatus for applying a covering to a core, comprising a frame, apressing element of flexible metal fabric, means for supporting saidcore in operative position relative to said frame, means for yieldinglysupporting said pressing element in operative position relative to thecovering on said body and urging said element into yielding engagementwith said covering, and means for causing relative rotation between saidpressing element and the covering on said core to thereby press andcompact said covering.

8. In combination, a supporting frame, a core having a covering of sheetmateria-l applied thereto, means for supporting said core, an open-endedpressing element carried by said frame and held in yielding forcibleengagement with the covering on said core, means for applying heat to aportion of said pressing element, and means for producing relativerotation between said pressing element and the covering applied to saidcore to thereby press said covering into compact form.

9. In combination, a supporting fra-me, a core, means for supplying acovering ot' sheet material to said core, an open-ended pressing elementyieldingly supported by said frame and yieldingly engageable with thecovering of sheet material on said core, and means for producingrelative rotation between said pressing element and said core to causesaid sheet material to be wrapped about said core and pressed intocompact form. f

10. Apparatus for applying a covering to a core, comprising a frame,means for supporting said core in operative pos1t1on relative to saidframe, means for applying a covering of sheet material to said core, apressing element of flexibleI metal fabr1c, means for yiel-dinglysupporting sald pressing element in operative engagement with thecovering on said core, and means for causing relative rotation betweensaid pressing element and the covering of sheet ma- .terial on said coreto therebyT press and compact said covering.

11. In combination, a supporting frame, a

core, an open-ended pressing element of flexible metal fabric yieldinglysupported by said frame, meansl for applying heat to a portion of saidpressing element, said means comprising a flexible electrical heaterassociated with a portion of said pressing element, means for supplyingsheet material to said core, and means for producing relative rotationbetween said pressing element and said core to cause said sheet materialto be supplied to and Wrapped about said core and said pressing elementto heat and press said covering of sheet material into compact form.

l2. Apparatus for applying a covering to a body, ment conformablesubstantially to the configuration of said body through a number ofdegrees of periphery, and means for producing relative motion betweensaid body and said pressing element while maintaining said pressingelement in engagement with the covering on said body.

In testimony whereof, the signature of the inventor is affixed hereto.

i JAMES P. A. MocoY.

comprising a. flexible pressing ele-`

